Portrait of Rembrandt Wearing a Soft Hat and Embroidered Coat

The Portrait of Rembrandt Wearing a Soft Hat and Embroidered Coat is an historically significant print executed in 1634 by Jan van Vliet after a composition originated by Rembrandt van Rijn. This early work is a superb example of collaboration and reproduction during the Dutch Golden Age. Created using the etching technique on ivory laid paper, this print captures the celebrated master in a rich, theatrical costume, characterized by a soft, broad-brimmed hat and a heavily embroidered coat. Vliet worked closely with Rembrandt in Leiden during the 1630s, and his meticulous skills as a printmaker were critical in disseminating Rembrandt’s dynamic compositions to a wider audience throughout the Netherlands and Europe.

The detailed handling of the etching medium beautifully renders the textures of the fabric and fur, emphasizing the dramatic contrasts of light and shadow often employed by Rembrandt in his self-portraits of the period. Though working from another artist’s design, Vliet’s execution elevates the piece beyond a simple copy, establishing him as a crucial figure in seventeenth-century printmaking. These fine prints served as the primary means by which Rembrandt's early mastery was communicated internationally.

Dating to a pivotal moment in Dutch art history, this piece provides valuable insight into the flourishing culture of graphic arts. This striking impression, classified as a print, is housed in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, documenting the close working relationship between the two artists. As the artwork is often considered within the public domain, it remains widely studied today.